Physical Education

Physical Education focuses on five key areas:

1. Health, training and exercise
2. Exercise physiology
3. Movement analysis
4. Psychology of sport and physical activity
5. Socio-cultural issues in sport and physical activity.

All of the subject content is assessed in Unit 1 as part of the written examination and in Unit 2 as part of the personal fitness programme.
Units 1 and 2 require Students to demonstrate an understanding of how both qualitative and quantitative data are collected. Students are also required to analyse and evaluate data. In Unit 2 Students have to present:

Introduction to physical education (written examination: 2 hours 50% of qualification) Students will be assessed through a range of short and extended questions. The questions will be based on audio-visual stimuli and other sources.

The active participant in physical education (non-exam assessment 50% of qualification) Students will be assessed in:

• three different activities in the role of performer
• at least one individual and one team sport and one other from the approved lists of activities in Appendix B
• a personal fitness programme linked to the chosen major activity.

In both individual and team activities, students should demonstrate:

• Skills and techniques
• Decision making skills
• Problem solving solutions
• Appropriate physical characteristics

Students should be able to:

• Apply the appropriate skills and techniques to the activity in demanding situations such as full games.
• Apply appropriate decision making and strategies in demanding situations such as full games.
• Apply compositional ideas in performance situations in creative activities such as dance and gymnastics.
• Solve problems in both predetermined and spontaneous ways whilst under pressure in physical activity and sport.
• Apply physical attributes appropriate to the chosen activity.

In team activities, Students should also demonstrate:

• Their participation as an active team member.

Students should be able to:

• Apply team strategies. Students should take into account the strengths and weaknesses of fellow team members.
• Show awareness of the actions of other performers and respond appropriately whilst also showing their individual role in achieving the collective aims.
• Communicate effectively with other performers.

Personal fitness programme

Students must design a personal fitness programme which will help to improve fitness and performance in one of the practical activities in which they were assessed i.e. the major activity.

Students will not be assessed on whether or not improvements have occurred. It is recommended that the programme be a minimum of 8 weeks duration.

The written evidence may be submitted electronically or as a paper version and must include evidence of the following:

1. Self-analysis of current fitness level
2. Recommendations to improve fitness and performance in the major activity
3. A plan of the fitness programme
4. Completion and monitoring the programme
5. Evaluation of the programme
6. Recommendations for improvements to personal performance in the major activity.
The personal fitness programme is assessed as part of the major activity.